Sometimes even eyes could deceive you. Just like mine were doing right now.
Though I should believe it. But I couldn’t. My luck couldn’t be any worse or better.
Standing in front of the college, I felt the cold air seep into my bones. Entirely different from the life I had been living in the penthouse. Was it the chill of the winter air, or had I simply grown too accustomed to the penthouse’s warmth?
Whatever it was, the cold gnawed at me making me wish I could return to that insulated prison. But no, hell was where Judas was, and right now, he wasn’t here.
A shiver ran through me as I walked towards the college gate, and I felt a piercing gaze on my back. “Stop staring,” I muttered under my breath.
“I’m doing my job,” Kyle’s voice came from behind, his tone as cold as the winter air. I glanced back to see him leaning against the black Mercedes, dressed in his usual dark clothes. His tattoos, skull rings, and the ever-present cold expression made him look like an enigma wrapped in leather.
I rolled my eyes. “Seriously, Kyle, you’re not exactly inconspicuous.”
“Never claimed to be,” he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “Somebody has to keep an eye on you. What, you thought you’d get a free pass just because Judas is not here?”
“Yeah, well, maybe I don’t need a babysitter.” I snapped, tucking my hands into my jacket pockets for warmth.
Kyle smirked. “Sure. I’m just here to make sure you don’t get any bright ideas.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves. “You know, for someone who hates his job, you sure are good at it. Maybe you should be grateful for the break.”
Kyle’s smirk widened. “Oh, I am. But don’t get too used to it. One mistake, and I’ll be right back on you like glue.”
“Yeah, whatever. Just stay out of my way.” I turned back towards the college gate, feeling his gaze follow me.
“And don’t get any funny ideas,” Kyle called after me. “I’ll know.”
I rolled my eyes again, muttering, “Screw you, Kyle.”
I wa still very confused and not believing if I was actually out in open and not locked up. For a moment I thought Judas would kept me locked up till he was bored, but I was glad. This feeling…. This air…. It all felt different out in open.
A strange feelings washed over me as I walked through the gate, I could almost feel Kyle’s smirk boring into my back. If only he knew how determined I was to not let him get to me.
But I ignored him. This college was the only place where Kyle could not enter or bother me. It was my safe sanctuary. And I’d die before let anyone… and I mean anyone take this away from me.
The sudden familiarity of the college embraced me like an old friend. I exhaled, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders and my muscles relaxing.
The noise of the students, the smell of old books, the hum of the vending machines-everything felt like a return to normalcy. I’d missed this. I’d missed being alone, in control of my own life.
But as I wandered through the hallways, a flicker of unease settled in my chest. Would anyone have noticed my absence? Especially Alina, who must be questioning why I left the dorm so abruptly. And Ivan-last time we spoke, his words were cryptic, laced with a hidden agenda and I didn’t know if he should be trusted. I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to be cautious around him.
It was for between if I keel low profile and…
Just as I reached the door of my class, a hand wrapped around my mouth. Panic surged through me. I tried to scream, but my voice was trapped in my throat. In an instant, my back hit the cold wall. A strong hand clamped down on both my wrists, pinning them above my head.
Looking up, my chest heaving, I found myself face-to-face with a pair of cold, distant green eyes. Eyes I used to adore, now filled with a disquieting intensity. My heart raced as I shook my head furiously, but his grip remained unyielding. The cold air seeped through my jacket as he yanked it down, exposing my sweater underneath, then did the same with it, revealing my neck.
His gaze shifted from my face to my exposed neck. Realization hit me like a ton of bricks. My neck, the marks… Panic and anxiety surged through me. With a sudden burst of strength, I managed to wriggle free, pulling my collar back up, trying to cover the mark.
“What-what are you doing?” I stammered, my voice trembling.
Ivan’s eyes narrowed, a chilling calm in his expression. “Where’ve you been?”
I swallowed hard, the fear making my throat dry. “I- I’ve been busy. With something.”
“Busy?” His voice was icy, devoid of warmth. “Busy enough to just disappear? Without a word? Without picking up my calls? Without giving me a damn message?!”
I tried to steady my breath, but his gaze was unnerving and right now, he was scaring me. How did I end up like this?
I swallowed hard, looking around the empty hall and took a cautious step back. “I needed some space. I didn’t think it would be an issue.”
But his grip on my wrists tightened and his angry eyes gleamed maniacally. Almost too feral that they made me shiver. “Didn’t think it would be an issue? I fucking like you, Seraphina Rosewood. And I promised you I’d kee you safe. Tell me something, I’ve been curious.”
My heart pounded louder. “Curious about what?”
“About where you went. And what you’ve been hiding.” His eyes flicked to my neck again, a dark glint of suspicion in his gaze. “Those are definitely hickeys… What’s the story behind it?”
“I don’t have to explain anything to you!” I snapped, trying to pull away.
Ivan’s face remained expressionless, but his eyes were cold as ice. “You should. Secrets don’t sit well with me. Especially not when they’re tied to you.”
I shivered under his stare. “I don’t understand why you’re so concerned.”
“Concerned?” His lips curled into a thin smile. “I’m not concerned. I’m observing. I notice things, like how you’ve been avoiding me. Or how you’ve changed.”
My skin crawled. “Changed? What do you mean?”
Ivan’s grip finally loosened, but his eyes remained locked on mine. “People don’t just change. They become something else. Judas Romanovski…. you’re involved with him, aren’t you?”
Oxygen failed to reach my lungs and I felt myself trembling. No. This was not time to panic. I shouldn’t. I didn’t do anything wrong. I wasn’t involved with him. He forced me. Would Ivan believe me if I tell him what happened? Would he be able to help? Could anyone… out there help me?
No.
And as the realisation settled, I backed away, my pulse racing. “You don’t have to do this.”
“I do,” Ivan said, his voice a low growl. “Because you’re not going anywhere unless you answer my questions.” He stepped forward, finger trailed down my jaw as I flinched feeling uncomfortable and disgusted for some reasons. “For starters, what is your relationship with Judas Romanovski?”